McClelland RSVP Invitation

Got this from my good friend D. Thanks buddy.

This is a pretty well done aro. I get a toasty note from the Black Cav and I think I taste the Virginias on occasion. Can't taste the Burley. For added flavorings I get vanilla and chocolate predominately along with something nougat-like. Even though this is well done, on a personal level, I don't find this combination of flavors very appealing. Others might like it just fine.

Mild in body. Mild to medium in taste. Flavoring is mild. Burns well.

This tobacco was a pretty good smoke. Like most aromatics, it's a one-trick pony, but it's one helluva nice trick. It packed well and burned very evenly.

First third: Good smoke, some nougat flavor comes through with some light tobacco flavor. Nothing super special, but quite pleasant to get through this stage.

Second third: Smoke becomes creamier, with a subtle vanilla mixed with toasted nougat detectable over the mild tobacco flavor. Doesn't become a rich mixture, but also doesn't bite when puffed and tongue is still alive and kicking.

Last third: Deeper casing flavors mixed with a stronger, spicier tobacco flavor. The best part of this smoke. Ash is fine and powdery. 9mm filter absorbed some liquid, but not as much as other aromatics. Did not foul the pipe, at all.

This is a good blend for occasional smokers and all-day smokers. It's not the taste superstar and doesn't have enough kick for an English devotee, but it's a fine tobacco for a sunny day and it behaves very well, even under dedicated puffing. A recommended tobacco.

McCelland Bulk No. RSVP - Invitation

Star Rating = 4

Rating Scores - 10 is the Best and 0 is the Worst

Pouch Note = 10

Room Note = 10

Flavor = 10

Bite = 10

Burn = 9

After Taste = 9

Raw Score = 58

Rated Percentage = 97%

Comment = Very Smooth, Very Mild, Mellow with a great full Flavor, this blend is as good if not better than Lane Limited RLP-6

An immediate favorite! McClelland does it again! A super manageable cut that burns perfectly right out of the new bag, start to finish. The aroma is bound to bring curious on-lookers and make pipe smokers of anyone with the slightest inclination. The flavor matches the aroma and is not diminished by any moisture in the pipe or at the bit. Reminiscent of a mild orange or apricot fruitiness paired with a certain indistinguishable creamy sweetness. Not overpowering in the least yet the smooth flavor comes through nicely. I believe this would make a great tobacco for novice and pro alike. Mild and flavorful for the novice and yet a very tasteful and interesting alternative for the pros. The taste is genuine and I give it a resounding 4 stars and highly recommend it!

McClelland - RSVP Invitation.

Like Sutliff's Midnight Smoke this was one of the blends I took on the holiday I returned from yesterday.

The coarse cut mixture contains more black Cavendish than the others. One of the best things about RSVP' is the pouch note: sweet nougat. The moisture's smokeable fresh.

The smoke from it's clearly aromatic but I wouldn't go so far as labelling it Strong. The Burley seems the lightest of the tobaccos, it's more of a sweet black Cav' blend, seasoned with Virginia. The aromatics give a sweet flavour, like there's also the addition of caramel, alongside the nougat/vanilla. RSVP burns well enough, giving a cool smoke. I get no tongue bite.

Nicotine: mild. Room-note: very pleasant.

RSVP Invitation? A three star blend:

Recommended.

Well, this is the kind of smoke you rely when you want to be somehow mentally present in a reunion with friends or family. The title suggest both the commitment to socialize and quality time. Not the tobacco for intimate insights as it is rather unappealing, just bland, and that lack of flavour is just the kind one may need to just go around smoking, watching people, talk a bit and just socialize. People around you will be happy though.

The smell outside seems to be wonderful, not overhelming, just mild sweetness. As for the smoke, i must say its rather insipid, at least for the first two thirds of the smoke. The cavendish is just the big guy here, it takes the prominent role and dominates it over the whole experience, at first they bring little accent of caramel and fruits. Virginias will only get to be perceived on the second third where the overly mild character of the smoke will be enhanced by the bittersweet taste on tongue and the overly mild tickling on the palate, in here a more prominent taste of caramel and vanilla will be perceived. Last third is a mix of the burley and the cavendish, therefore more creamy as a whole, a bit stronger on the retrohale, decidedly more nougat. Not bad, but not impressive either, nor memorable. Just average.

This is what I consider my "secret blend"- I'm surprised that no one else favors/raves about it- but it is truly wonderful. The best tasting aromatic I've tried- the taste of caramel/vanilla is just right. My go-to when I'm in the mood for something other than an english blend.

McClellands is doing something right by coming out with this new blend. Mostly dark tobacco with some light brown flakes. This is an aromatic but has a nice smoky very smooth flavor and aroma that I think some non aromatic smokers might like. Roomate asked if I was smoking Black and Mild. You might think there are orientals in this. It's smooth and tasty. Burns well right out of the bulk ziploc from cupajoes- I haven't dried any yet. Good price for this quality. I will be getting more of this.

You must try it. I can see this being some pipers favorite go to smoke.

It's a shame to relate this to RLP-6. I give that two stars and RSVP Four Stars.

Four Stars ****

Kind of a weird one here, the bag has a light vanilla scent teasing you with a soft sweet smoke to come, but all I got when lit was a biting spice. Some false advertising for me, like passing off sweet bread as cake.

The cut is very rough with a mix of thin wood chips and some broke down ribbons. I had trouble with the relights in my pipes with a smaller bowl, but that could've been a problem with the driver. I'm fairly certain there is also some paint primer within, as after even a few puffs, this stuff will stick to the lining of your mouth and you will be reliving the smoke for hours.

It certainly felt like a blend from the McClelland factory, and normally I would wait in line for their tasty treats, but today I did not enjoy my tour of the plant.

Disappointed with this one from McClelland. Apparently meant as a competitor to Lane's RPL-6, the similarities are obvious when smoked and compared.

Leaving aside the comparisons, this is a mild aromatic with a slightly fruity flavoring coupled with a little vanilla and what seems like mild caramel. The underlying tobaccos seem to be rather bland, which is unusual for McClelland.

I found this tobacco to be a disappointment and not up to McClellands usual high standards. I'll guess that's it's been produced simply to compete against Lane's top selling RPL-6 rather than having been developed as an attractive tobacco in its own right.

I admire many of McClelland's pipe tobaccos, but I don't think this one lives up to their fine reputation. It's a perfectly okay smoke, slightly fruity aromatic, discernible tobacco flavors, burns slightly hot, and didn't leave me wanting more.